Stat Attack: Green settled off field, giving Warriors plenty on field

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On the field he has been a shining light for the Warriors in 2018, and Blake Green credits much of that to an increasingly settled life off it.

The 31-year-old was brought to the club for his leadership and to be a steadying influence alongside fellow playmaker Shaun Johnson.

After an 8-3 start to the Telstra Premiership and Green having his name tossed up as a potential Blues bolter, it would appear the move was the right one.

Green's kicking and passing game has already made an impact on the Warriors' attack in 2018. He leads the league for 40/20 kicks and forced dropouts, and ranks in the top 10 for line-break assists.

The Warriors have improved in all three facets compared to this time last season, jumping from sixth to first in 40/20s and 11th to fourth in the other two stats. They've also jumped from eighth to fifth in the league in try assists, with Green contributing six (12th in the league).

Moving his family to another country midway through the pre-season was never an easy call and Green said it was one he carefully considered at the back end of last year prior to inking his deal with the Auckland-based club.

As he reaches the halfway point of his first Telstra Premiership campaign as a Warrior, Green said he had well and truly settled in his new homeland and his wife Sarah and young children Boston and Sadie were loving their laidback Kiwi lifestyle.

"It's been great, it really has. The change in weather of late is not ideal, it's been a bit cold recently, but myself and the family are really enjoying it here," he said.

"We moved into a new house over the weekend, I've just been staying in an apartment in the city since arriving here which was great in terms of location, I got to get a good feel for the place.

"I've probably seen more of Auckland in the last few months than Simon (Mannering) has in his time here so it's been great."

The Warriors' historic winning start to the year has resulted in fans flocking back to Mt Smart Stadium in large numbers.

"The fans have been awesome, really welcomed me in and they are a really supportive lot," Green said.

He has played every game for the Warriors this season, and will again be asked to line up alongside Mason Lino in the halves for Saturday's top-four clash with South Sydney, with Johnson still battling an ankle injury.

Mason Lino sat out some of Wednesday's training session with a leg injury and Peta Hiku ran in the halves. Lino will be given up until kick off to prove fitness.

The Warriors comfortably handled the Bunnies in round one, but have not defeated Souths twice in the same season since 2011 - the same year they last made the grand final.